Rob Pannell Goes Down Fighting, Goes Down in History

PHILADELPHIA, PA—Rob Pannell fought it. But for as much as he wrestled, his blood-shot eyes, and quivering lower lip, the constant touching of his red Cornell jersey he so dearly wanted to wear forever, betrayed him.

The emotion spilled over.

One of the greatest players in Cornell history apologized. He just couldn’t help himself. It hurt.

That’s what Pannell was feeling after Cornell lost to Duke, 16-14, in the NCAA semifinals on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field.

He ended his career with a flourish—scoring five goals and handing out two assists to finish as the NCAA Division I all-time career points leader with 354 points, surpassing Matt Danowski, the previous recordholder, who amassed 353 points (170 goals, 183 assists for 353 points in 80 games for Duke from 2004-08).

Pannell closed his career with 150 goals and 204 assists, over 72 games, from 2009-13 at Cornell.

So he stood there, shuffling back and forth in the main artery of Lincoln Financial Field, wincing a tear from his eye, sporadically looking down at his No. 3 Cornell jersey and trying to prolong the inevitable: Taking off something so dear to his heart for the last time—the last symbol he’ll ever wear of Cornell lacrosse.

To those who never saw a lacrosse game before and witnessed Pannell playing for the first time in the NCAA semifinals, they’d swear he’s the Michael Jordan of lacrosse. He certainly played the part in the final quarter—singlehandedly yanking Cornell on his mighty back and lugging Big Red to within striking distance of gradually nervous Duke.

“I don’t think it was my best game, I know I had five and two, but stats don’t speak for everything,” Pannell said. “I probably took about 20 shots—and in the last quarter, we made this into a game, but that’s our team. That’s not me. That’s everyone on this team. You’re down seven, like we were, and that thought of never putting this jersey on in a game again hits you. You find it. You find a way to up your game even more.”

Pannell was fighting for his life. Like someone holding his head under water. So he flailed and scared the hell out of Duke. He says he takes a second before he puts his jersey on before every game just to inhale the amazing journey he’s had.

“I think about how lucky I am to put this jersey …” then Pannell caught himself again. “I wear the No. 10 shirt under my jersey for Eamon McEneaney [the Cornell All-American lacrosse player who was killed during the September 11 attacks]. I think how much he means to me, and how lucky I’ve been to play for Cornell.”

Pannell’s departure struck a deep emotional chord with Cornell coach Ben DeLuca. When asked about Pannell at the postgame press conference, DeLuca said there’s not enough time to talk about what Pannell meant to the program and how greatly he’ll be missed.

“You’re talking about one of the greatest leaders our program has ever had, and one of the most complete players in the game who was never satisfied with where he was,” DeLuca said. “Rob always continued to push himself. He raised the bar not only for himself, but for his teammates and our program. Rob Pannell leaves Cornell lacrosse better than he found it. His legacy will be lasting and permanent.”

If anything, Pannell, who kept saying he’d give up every one of his 354 points for one NCAA championship ring, and you tend to believe him. It’s why he went out swinging wildly, and why Cornell went from being down 14-8 to climbing within 14-12—on Pannell’s last goal as a collegiate.

It’s why he went out fighting.

“I don’t know if I’ll take this jersey off,” Pannell said, looking down one last time at his red Cornell No. 3. “It’s going to take me a little time to do that. I have 15 new best friends and this program shaped my life. It’s been the best experience I’ve ever had. When I got here, I couldn’t even imagine the success we’d have, going to the NCAA tournament, reaching the Final Four. I can’t imagine where I’d be without Cornell lacrosse.”